Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY295052 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2007 Inspection date Christine Anne Rice Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder, who was registered in 2004, lives with her daughter aged eight in a first floor flat in Ripon. The childminder uses the kitchen, living room, the bathroom and her daughter's bedroom for childminding. There is a shared enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for five children under eight years. The childminder is currently minding two children on a part-time basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminders Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because they play in a clean environment. They benefit from the policy with regard to sickness, which helps to prevent the spread of infection, since the childminder implements appropriate exclusion periods for infectious illnesses. With the childminder acting

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 as a positive role model, the children adopt good hygiene procedures. They demonstrate their awareness by making posters to act as reminders to wash their hands. If the children were to suffer any minor injuries, the childminder is well prepared with her current first aid certificate and first aid box in the kitchen.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy diet that is well balanced, nutritious and complies with individual dietary needs. The childminder prepares fresh foods for tea, such as scrambled egg and pasta dishes with snacks predominantly consisting of sandwiches and fruit. Drinks are always available and children develop independence as they choose between water, fruit juice, milk and milkshakes. The children have plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from school every day and enjoy frequent trips to the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe home, which is welcoming as there are children's pictures and posters displayed on the walls. The children develop independence as they choose from a satisfactory range of easily accessible toys, with messy pursuits in the kitchen and quieter activities in the lounge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is keenly aware of minimising hazards and keeping the children safe. Consequently, all sockets are covered, there are gates at the top of the stairs and into the kitchen and there are locks on the cupboards. Outdoors, the childminder closely supervises the children as the garden, although enclosed with a fence, is shared with the neighbours.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children contribute to their own safety as they practise the fire escape plan, which is displayed on the wall. In addition, there is a fire blanket in the kitchen. The childminder has a limited understanding of child protection issues and a verbal policy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are busily and happily occupied in an interesting range of activities. There is a relaxed atmosphere as the children, who enjoy good relationships with the childminder, sing spontaneously. They are confident in the setting and interact positively, approaching the childminder easily.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good appreciation of the needs of different aged children and provides a broad variety of activities as appropriate. For example, there are alphabet cards, puzzles and stories for younger children and the childminder recognises the importance of planning activities around the children's routines, such as nap times. Older children enjoy more sophisticated games, puzzles and craft activities. They develop their creativity and imagination by dressing up and performing short plays. In addition, they enjoy drawing, making sparkly pictures and making box craft creations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's independence is fostered as they are involved in decisions, such as plans for the day. For instance, the childminder readily accepts the children's suggestion of visiting the park in the afternoon. Consequently, children grow in confidence and develop self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a happy, settled atmosphere, where they are treated as individuals, with the childminder seeking information from the parents about their specific cultural and dietary needs. However, resources are very limited to promote equality of opportunity. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and has a positive attitude towards this area of work, being willing to adapt her practice and work with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages behaviour positively, consistently and according to the child's level of understanding and maturity. Child friendly explanations are given for inappropriate behaviour and a few minutes time out is used where necessary. The children are involved in setting the house rules, which are opposed to bullying and encourage children to share toys. As a result, the children behave well. The childminder provides flexible care, which accommodates the needs of parents. Information about the provision, including routines and the complaints policy, is shared verbally with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is suitably qualified as she has undertaken the relevant childminder training and has three years experience as a school dinner lady. She has completed all the necessary background checks and has set up appropriate recording systems for accidents, incidents and complaints in the interests of protecting the children. Furthermore, the childminder does not allow the children to be left unsupervised with anyone who has not been properly vetted.

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Organisation

Required adult-child ratios are met so that children are well supported. The childminder is adaptable as she accommodates children's routines by, for example, making herself available to take and collect them from different schools at the appropriate times.

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Organisation

The childminder has a suitable knowledge of the National Standards and of the required documentation needed to promote the care and welfare of the children. Her practice is based on a number of verbal policies, which parents are informed of.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop knowledge and understanding of the procedures to be followed in relation to child protection • extend play resources to promote equality of opportunity.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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